Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (right) speaks with members of the Miami County Republican Women’s Club on Saturday at El Tapatio in Paola. (Photo by Brian McCauley / bmccauley@miconews.com)
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State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins looks for support at El Tap
By Brian McCauley, bmccauley@miconews.com
After years of supporting fellow Republican Jim Ryun, Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins is now running against him for the chance to topple Democratic incumbent Nancy Boyda in the battle for the 2nd Congressional District seat up for grabs in November.
Jenkins stopped by El Tapatio in Paola on Saturday to spread the message of her campaign to lunch-goers and the Miami County Republican Women’s Club. She said it is hard to run against her friend, but she honestly believes he can’t regain the seat he lost to Boyda in 2006.
“A lot of us are concerned that his time has come and gone. It’s time for new leadership,” Jenkins said. “If I believed for a minute that Jim could win in a rematch, I would not be here.”
During lunch with the Republican club in a private room at the restaurant, Jenkins hit on a number of issues, including her pledge to not increase taxes and her desire to eliminate earmarks.
When asked about the economy, Jenkins said she doesn’t believe the nation is in a recession yet, but she does worry about the spending attitude in America.
“We borrow too much money,” Jenkins said. “We live for the moment.”
Donna Darner asked Jenkins about the lack of help for mentally ill people, who are ending up in prisons.
Jenkins said she wants to tackle the problem at the prevention level.
“Most of these illnesses are preventable if we can get people on meds and in a program,” Jenkins said.
The state treasurer also pointed out that her campaign is being run by homegrown Kansans.
Although Jenkins spoke about her relationship with Ryun, Nancy Boyda’s presence was also felt at the luncheon in the form of one of her campaign workers who did not speak but videotaped the event.
“He follows me everywhere I go,” Jenkins said.
“You’ve got your own stalker,” one of the guests said with a laugh.
Despite the heated competition, Jenkins said she’s confident about her campaign.
“I’m fired up and ready to do this, but I need help and support,” she said.
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Jenkins stopped by El Tapatio in Paola on Saturday to spread the message of her campaign to lunch-goers and the Miami County Republican Women’s Club. She said it is hard to run against her friend, but she honestly believes he can’t regain the seat he lost to Boyda in 2006.
“A lot of us are concerned that his time has come and gone. It’s time for new leadership,” Jenkins said. “If I believed for a minute that Jim could win in a rematch, I would not be here.”
During lunch with the Republican club in a private room at the restaurant, Jenkins hit on a number of issues, including her pledge to not increase taxes and her desire to eliminate earmarks.
When asked about the economy, Jenkins said she doesn’t believe the nation is in a recession yet, but she does worry about the spending attitude in America.
“We borrow too much money,” Jenkins said. “We live for the moment.”
Donna Darner asked Jenkins about the lack of help for mentally ill people, who are ending up in prisons.
Jenkins said she wants to tackle the problem at the prevention level.
“Most of these illnesses are preventable if we can get people on meds and in a program,” Jenkins said.
The state treasurer also pointed out that her campaign is being run by homegrown Kansans.
Although Jenkins spoke about her relationship with Ryun, Nancy Boyda’s presence was also felt at the luncheon in the form of one of her campaign workers who did not speak but videotaped the event.
“He follows me everywhere I go,” Jenkins said.
“You’ve got your own stalker,” one of the guests said with a laugh.
Despite the heated competition, Jenkins said she’s confident about her campaign.
“I’m fired up and ready to do this, but I need help and support,” she said.
Comments on "State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins looks for support at El Tap"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Steve wrote on Apr 10, 2008 4:29 PM:
" So I guess Boyda won't benefit from anything the state party does. Boyda will reimburse the state party for in kind contributions and thus will be paying for the stalker without being tied to it. Common campaign tactic. "
A former Boyda staffer wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:13 AM:
" He most definitely DOES work for Boyda with the complicity of the KDP. "
brad wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:38 AM:
" hey- the guy video taping the Jenkins event doesn't work for Boyda, he works for the state party...you might want to clarify that in your story. "